Lawmakers working to make SC more military-friendly

The military employs close to 140 thousand
people in South Carolina, and generates billions of dollars in revenue. But in the face of budget cuts, lawmakers are
working to make the state even more 'military-friendly'.

Before the next round of base closures are
considered in 2015, the Department of Defense is suggesting states consider
adopting ten pieces of legislation, that deal with improving the quality of
life for military families and veterans.

"I went like ten years
without even admitting I was a veteran," said Curtis Woodall.

But shame has long since
turned to pride for Vietnam Veteran Curtis Woodall. Since moving to South Carolina ten
years ago, he says he's felt appreciated as a veteran, but still, things could
be better.

"Active service members
really have it rough," Woodall added. "They don't know where they're going
next. It's tough on them and their families."

With possible base
closures coming, lawmakers are working to pass legislation to make life easier
for military service members and their families.

"What we can do as a
nation is go ahead and pass legislation to recognize what a unique position
military families are in," said Senator Tom Davis. "The sacrifices they face in
terms of being deployed from one place to another at a moment's notice.'

To make things easier, the
Department of Defense suggests states like South Carolina pass laws to
streamline the moving, Medicaid, and childcare issues that are part of military
life.

Some bills are simply
recognition that military families have to interact with state government,
whether its licensing, Medicaid or getting their child's progress in school
tracked property.

One bill targets veterans
in the court system, giving them a chance to get treatment instead of serving
time.

"Any of them that have had
dealings with combat is going to have some issues they're going to have to deal
with, even when they don't know it," said Woodall.

So far, only three of the
ten suggested pieces of legislation have passed in South Carolina, and three
more are moving through the legislature right now. Lawmakers are confident they
will be able to pass all ten before the base cuts are considered in 2015.

"We have great
instillations, great geography to compliment those installations and then we
have a lot of retirees that advocate for those institutions that are civic
leaders," said Davis.

Many veterans like Woodall
say it's the least we can do to honor those who serve our country.

"My God they're helping
us," said Woodall. "Help them."

Three of the ten bills that have passed in South
Carolina deal with improving absentee voting, helping spouses transfer their
professional licenses and increasing consumer protections against predatory
lending regulations.

Highway Patrol troopers say they are searching for a 2001– 2005 Silver Toyota Sequoia or 2004 – 2005 Toyota Tundra with damage to right front headlight assembly and missing right side mirror. (Source: SCHP)

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is asking for the community’s help in locating a vehicle that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash Monday night in Hopkins.